The Best Products for Osteoporosis

Natural supplements used in the treatment of osteoporosis usually contain minerals such as calcium, and magnesium as well as vitamins D and K. However, some differentiate themselves by including special calcium formulations such as MCHC and coral calcium or little-known osteoporosis remedies such as boron, strontium, soy isoflavones and ipriflavone. This article discusses the 8 most unique osteoporosis supplements and how their formulations make them stand apart from other bone health supplements.

Its comprehensive list of active ingredients include calcium and phosphorus in the form of MCHC (microcrystalline hydroxyapatite complex), the natural form in which both minerals are found in the bone.

Among the osteoporosis supplements discussed in this article, Exoprin contains the widest range of micronutrients that can help build healthier bones.

It does contain calcium in the right amount (500 mg per dose). This is important because studies show that the body cannot absorb more than 600 mg of calcium at once. Therefore, supplements that provide 1000 mg or more of calcium per dose do not necessarily increase the amount of calcium absorbed.

In addition, Exoprin has all the right ingredients to promote the absorption of calcium, its distribution to the bone and its fixation to the bone matrix. Such ingredients include magnesium, manganese, vitamin D and vitamin K.

While Exoprin uses the better vitamer of vitamin D (vitamin D3), its choice of vitamin K1 is less effective for bone health.

Studies indicate that vitamin K2 is the better vitamer of vitamin K in the treatment of osteoporosis.

The inclusion of soy isoflavones and the semi-synthetic isoflavone, ipriflavone, distinguishes Exoprin from most of the osteoporosis supplements commonly sold.

Isoflavones and ipriflavone do have estrogenic abilities and can support proper bone remodeling.

In fact, falling estrogen levels is one of the major causes of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. Therefore, Exoprin can keep up estrogen activities and sustain the hormone’s positive effects on bone health.

With such unique formulation, it is clear why Exoprin is preferred by many osteoporosis patients as well as those with high risks of developing this bone disease.

This supplement is both effective and safe and comes highly recommended.

ConcenTrace is a mineral complex obtained from the shores of the northern part of Great Salt Lake. The pristine fluid has 50 times the concentration of trace minerals as regular ocean water. The coral calcium is obtained from Okinawa, Japan.

The manufacturer promised that the combination of coral calcium and ConcenTrace provides the best presentation of calcium and other essential minerals needed for optimal bone health.

However, there are no clinical trials to back these claims. In fact, some of the ingredients in this supplement are not known to contribute to bone health.

Although the calcium composition of coral is similar to that of human bones, there are valid concerns that the coral calcium sourced from Okinawa may contain significant amounts of toxic metals such as lead and mercury.

Another source of concern with the formulation of Liquid Coral Calcium Extra involves its inactive ingredients.

The use of potassium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives in a natural supplement is particularly worrying. And with a sugar content of 7g and 9g of total carbohydrate, the choice of sweetener in this supplement is equally alarming.

Even though it has almost 90 minerals, one can only wonder if the manufacturer is not simply adding minerals and hoping for the best.

Liquid Coral Calcium Extra is not a popular or well-reviewed osteoporosis supplement and it should only be used by those who believe in the healing powers of coral calcium.

Osteo Bone Complex 400 is a bone strength supplement from Doctors Nutra Nutraceutical. Strangely, the same supplement in a similar packaging is also sold under the brand, Chiropractor’s Blend.

This supplement contains calcium in form of MCHC. MCHC is responsible for most of the total mass of human bones. It is actually formed from calcium and phosphate. Therefore, the phosphorus content of Osteo Bone Complex 400 also comes from MCHC.

Other ingredients of this supplement include magnesium (found at half the concentration of calcium), zinc, copper, boron, vitamins C, D and K as well as glucosamine sulfate, MSM and horsetail herb.

The formulation of Osteo Bone Complex 400 is rather interesting especially because of its choice of MCHC.

MCHC is an excellent calcium (and phosphate) source especially when you need to improve bone health. Some health experts believe MCHC is a superior to other calcium salts for improving bone mineral density.

Osteo Bone Complex includes vitamin D3 and vitamin K1. Both vitamins D and K have been proven to be even more important to bone health than calcium. However, while vitamin D3 is the best form of vitamin D for raising bone mineral density, vitamin K1 is not the better form of vitamin K.

Studies show that vitamin K2 is a better choice than vitamin K1 in the treatment of osteoporosis.

The other minerals and vitamin in Osteo Bone Complex 400 can also improve bone health.

Glucosamine, MSM and horsetail herb do not improve bone mineral density but they are natural supplements for improving joint health. Therefore, Osteo Bone Complex 400 not only makes bones stronger but also strengthens joints to provide the right support for bones.

Selenium, boron and potassium account for 10 mg of each scoop of the proprietary blend but calcium is the star of the formulation. Cal-Mag Fizz contains 4 different salts of calcium: calcium lactate, calcium lactate, calcium carbonate hydroxide and calcium glycerolphosphate.

The manufacturer promised that this combination of calcium salts increases the bioavailability of calcium.

Besides calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are the other important ingredients in the supplement. Studies have shown that the combination of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D improves bone mineral density because magnesium and vitamin D promote the absorption of calcium and its deposition in bone matrix.

The distinguishing feature of this supplement is its effervescent formula. Cal-Mag Fizz dissolves in cold water and then the blend releases its ingredients.

Therefore, the powder form of the supplement is easily reconstituted into easily absorbed liquid formulation. Cal-Mag Fizz is made in 3 different flavors: tropical fruit, lemon-lime and mixed berry flavors.

The inclusion of B vitamins in Cal-Mag Fizz is rather stranger since these vitamins do not directly improve bone health. For sweetener, Cal-Mag Fizz uses sugar.

Reviews from past users indicate that Cal-Mag Fizz is effective. However, most users take the supplement to help relieve muscle cramp and even improve their sleep.

Therefore, Cal-Mag Fizz is only an osteoporosis supplement because of its high calcium content. It is not strictly a bone supplement but it can definitely help osteoporosis.

Bone Up has attracted excellent reviews from past users with over 90% of them confirming that it does raise bone mineral density. A quick review of Bone Up formulation explains why it is so successful.

OHC refers to MCHC suspended within a protein matrix. It is obtained from the bones of free-range Australian and New Zealand calves. OHC provides all the benefits of MCHC. It supplies both calcium and phosphorus as microcrystalline hydroxyapatite, the exact form in which the minerals are found in the bone.

The choice of calcium source is not the only thing this supplement gets right. It also choose the best vitamers of vitamin D and vitamin K.

Vitamin D3 is better than vitamin D2 for bone health. In the same way, vitamin K2 does more for the bone than vitamin K1. In fact, Bone Up contains the MK-7 variant of vitamin K2. Studies show that the best forms of vitamin K2 are MK-4 and MK-7.

The efficacy and safety of Bone Up are not only supported by the testimonies of past users but also by a 2007 case study published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine.

Besides calcium and vitamin D3, this supplement also contains magnesium, phosphorus and boron. To improve the bioavailability of calcium, this supplement includes 2 salts of calcium: calcium phosphate and calcium citrate.

Calcium phosphate doubles as the source of phosphorus.

Wellesse Calcium & Vitamin D3 contains the right micronutrients to improve bone mineralization. However, it is a flawed formula. One of its flaws is what it does not have: vitamin K2.

Besides vitamin D, vitamin K has also been proven to increase the uptake of calcium into the bone. In fact, studies suggest that vitamin K is more important than vitamin D in this role.

The choice of sweeteners used in this formulation is, however, a bigger flaw. To improve its taste, Wellesse used sucralose and corn dextrose as sugar replacements. However, these sugar alternatives are bad for human health and may be worse than sugar in the long-term.

Wellesse Calcium & Vitamin D3 comes highly recommended by its users. Most of them praised its palatable taste and efficacy but it may be too sweet for its own good.

Although Rebuild Plus is not one of the popular osteoporosis supplements, its formulation indicates that it can truly increase bone mineral density. However, there are few flaws in the formulation of the product.

First, the daily dose of Rebuild Plus easily meets the user’s recommended daily intake of calcium. Given the likelihood that users will also get more calcium from their diets, it is easy for them to ingest more calcium that is needed.

A number of studies have demonstrated that increased calcium intake does not necessarily translate to better bones.

Secondly, the choice of vitamin K in this supplement can be improved. Vitamin K2 is the better vitamer of vitamin K for bone health.

However, Rebuild Plus does include the better vitamer of vitamin D and also adds vitamin C.

The addition of magnesium, manganese, zinc, boron and copper will also improve bone mineral density and reduce the risk of bone fractures. Therefore, Rebuild Plus is a safe and effective supplement in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Strontium Bone Maker is a dietary supplement from Doctor’s Best. Among the osteoporosis supplements discussed in this article, it holds the distinction of being the only one to contain only one active ingredient: strontium.

Strontium is a trace mineral in humans. Most of the strontium absorbed from the intestines is stored in the bone where it may replace calcium.

Because strontium is structurally similar to calcium, it may serve as a substitute to calcium during the formation of new bone. However, strontium is a heavier mineral and can, therefore, increase bone mineral density.

Strontium also promotes bone formation by stimulating the activities of osteoblasts (cells responsible for the formation of new bones) and inhibiting osteoclasts (cells responsible for bone breakdown).

All studies investigating the benefits of strontium supplementation on bone health concluded that the mineral can improve bone mineral density. In addition, there are no reports of serious side effects.

Strontium is safe for human consumption as long the non-radioactive form of the mineral is used.

However, care should be taken with strontium supplementation because high doses of strontium supplement can reduce the absorption of calcium. Therefore, calcium (and vitamins D and K) supplements should be used alongside Strontium Bone Maker.

This means that Strontium Bone Maker is the only supplement discussed in this article that should be combined with other osteoporosis supplements.

Even when used alone, this supplement is effective. The majority of past users dearly praised the efficacy and safety of Strontium Bone Maker.

Therefore, this single-ingredient osteoporosis supplement is highly recommended. And it will even perform better when combined with other supplements containing calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins D and K.